Photographed by Wil Pretty in Sharfleet is a Christen A-1 Husky seaplane, believed to be based at Rochester airport. It floats, it has a rudder and an engine, and is probably used for recreation – but is it boating? The MSBA needs to know…
Medway and Swale Boating Association
The voice of boating on the tidal Medway and Swale
Photographed by Wil Pretty in Sharfleet is a Christen A-1 Husky seaplane, believed to be based at Rochester airport. It floats, it has a rudder and an engine, and is probably used for recreation – but is it boating? The MSBA needs to know…
I asked this of someone after one landed in front of me over the Bishop Ooze area a couple of weeks ago: I tacked … was going to anyway. But, I was told by an ‘expert’ that once on the water it is a powered craft and should give way to sail (within reason). I’m sure there is an answer to this in the rule of the road…
Nick, I think you’ll find that on old charts Half Acre Creek is demarcated as a landing/take-off area for seaplanes, which might imply that they have right of way there. Something else for the MSBA to ask Peel Ports about…
I do remember seaplanes on odd occasions in the past, but wasn’t aware it was a designated landing spot – in many respects they can drop down anywhere, provided it is safe to do so.
Over the top of the Bishop Ooze should be safe: people don’t usually cut across!